The Mighty Clouds of Joy are an American traditional gospel music quartet. Joe Ligon Bio: Willie Joe Ligon was born on October 11, 1936, and died on December 11, 2016 (80 years, 2 months). He dedicated his life to Jesus making many hit songs. Some include, Walk Around Heaven by James Cleveland and Cassetta George, Everybody Ought To Praise His Name, Heavy Load, and more.

Career

The Mighty Clouds of Joy was formed in 1959 in Los Angeles, CA as a traditional-based style group. It wasn't until 1961 as the group became famous, they added bass, drums, and keyboards to the standard guitar backup and developed a funky sound that split the difference between gospel, and rhythm and blues. In a break with tradition, the groups sound incorporated Soul, R&B, and Rock; all of which flourishes into their musical mix (one of their early hits was produced by

Gamble and Huff Kenneth Gamble (born August 11, 1943, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) and Leon A. Huff (born April 8, 1942, Camden, New Jersey) are an American songwriting and production team credited for developing the Philadelphia soul music genre (also known as ...

) without diluting the essential religious essence of their material. Unlike other gospel groups, its members dressed stylishly — they used the same tailor as the Temptations — and worked slick choreography into their act. Thus not realizing they were setting a standard and paving a way for future gospel soul groups for decades to come. They became one of the most influential gospel groups in the US. The long-lived group flourished throughout the rest of the 20th century, scoring numerous

Grammy Award The Grammy Awards (stylized as GRAMMY), or simply known as the Grammys, are awards presented by the Recording Academy of the United States to recognize "outstanding" achievements in the music industry. They are regarded by many as the most pres ...

s and nominations, as well as several hit albums along the way. The Mighty Clouds of Joy developed a fan base much like the soul Pop and R&B groups. They can even be found on display in the famous Apollo Theater. Based in Los Angeles, California, the original group members included Joe Ligon (d. 2016), Johnny Martin (d. 1987), Ermant Franklin Jr. (d. 1996), Artis Turnbough (d. 1999), Elmeo Franklin (d. 2008), Richard Wallace (d. 2020), Leon Polk (d. 1998) and David Walker (who also recorded several tracks with

Link Wray Fred Lincoln "Link" Wray Jr. (May 2, 1929 – November 5, 2005) was an American guitarist, songwriter, and vocalist who became popular in the late 1950s. ''Rolling Stone'' placed Wray at No. 45 of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time. In 2013 ...

under the name Bunker Hill). Joe Ligon (born Willie Joe Ligon in Troy, Alabama on October 11, 1936) died on December 11, 2016, at age 80.Willie Joe Ligon of Beaumont, Texas , 1936 - 2016 , Obituary
accessdate December 14, 2017 While reviewing the group's 1974

crossover Crossover may refer to: Entertainment Albums and songs * ''Cross Over'' (Dan Peek album) * ''Crossover'' (Dirty Rotten Imbeciles album), 1987 * ''Crossover'' (Intrigue album) * ''Crossover'' (Hitomi Shimatani album) * ''Crossover'' (Yoshino ...

LP ''It's Time'',

Robert Christgau Robert Thomas Christgau ( ; born April 18, 1942) is an American music journalist and essayist. Among the most well-known and influential music critics, he began his career in the late 1960s as one of the earliest professional rock critics and ...

wrote in '' Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies'' (1981), "You'd figure the showiest of all gospel groups would sell out with some flair, but the vocal transfigurations—that old

Wilson Pickett Wilson Pickett (March 18, 1941 – January 19, 2006) was an American singer and songwriter. A major figure in the development of soul music, Pickett recorded over 50 songs which made the US R&B charts, many of which crossed over to the ''Bill ...

(and

Julius Cheeks Rev. Julius "June" Cheeks (August 7, 1929January 27, 1981) was an American gospel singer, who enjoyed the majority of his success with The Sensational Nightingales. Biography In 1954, he became a preacher but continued performing full-time unti ...

) unhh born again—aren't the only reason this is one of the best LPs ever to come out of Philadelphia. For once, the songs—many of them from producer Dave Crawford, whose spirit must have been moved—include virtually no filler, not even (especially not even) the one that takes off from the group's name. Nicest conceit: how hard it is to be soft in a 'Stoned World.'"

Discography

Albums

*1964: ''Family Circle'' (Peacock) PLP 114 *1965: ''A Bright Side'' (Peacock) PLP 121 *1966: ''Live at Music Hall'' (Peacock) PLP 134 *1966: ''Presenting the Untouchable'' (Peacock) PLP 151 *1972: ''Mighty Clouds of Joy Live'' (At The Apollo) *1974: ''It's Time'' (Dunhill/ABC) *1975: ''Kickin'' (ABC) *1977: ''The Truth Is the Power'' (ABC) (Reissue-Myrrh) *1977: ''Live and Direct'' (ABC) *1979: ''Changing Times'' (Epic/CBS) *1980: ''Cloudburst'' (Myrrh/CBS) *1982: ''Miracle Man'' (Myrrh) *1983: ''Sing and Shout'' (Myrrh/Word) *1987: ''Catching On'' (Word) *1989: ''Night Song'' (Word) *1990: ''Pray for Me'' (Live) (Word) *1995: ''Power'' (Intersound) *1996: ''Live in Charleston (Live)'' (Intersound) *1999: ''It Was You'' (Light Records) *2002: ''I Want to Thank You'' (EMI Gospel) *2005: ''In the House of the Lord: Live in Houston'' (EMI Gospel) *2007: ''Movin'' (EMI Gospel) *2010: ''At the Revival'' (EMI Gospel) *2011: ''50 Year Celebration'' (EMI Gospel) *2013: ''All That I Am Chapter 1'' (MCG Records) *2014: ''Down Memory Lane: Chapter 2'' (MCG Records) *2016: ''Rebirth'' (Asah Entertainment)

Compilation albums

*1973: ''The Best of the Mighty Clouds of Joy'' (Peacock/ABC) (Reissue-MCA) *1978: ''The Very Best of the Mighty Clouds of Joy'' (ABC) *1982: ''Request Line'' (Myrrh/Word) *1994: ''Faith, Mercy, Glory'' (King) *2002: ''20th Century Masters – The Millennium Collection: The Best of the Mighty Clouds of Joy'' (MCA/Peacock)

Singles

*1960: "Steal Away to Jesus" (Peacock Records) *1975: "Amazing Grace"; R&B#4 UK#15 US Hot Dance Club Play No. 2 *1975: "

Mighty High ''Mighty High'' is the eighth studio album by southern rock jam band Gov't Mule. The album was released on October 16, 2007, by ATO Records. ''Mighty High'' features reggae and dub versions of classic Mule covers and originals with special gues ...

"; US#69 US Hot Dance Club Play No. 1

References

External links

*
An interview with Joe Ligon at Soul Express in July 2013
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mighty Clouds Of Joy ABC Records artists American gospel musical groups American gospel singers American rhythm and blues musical groups Dunhill Records artists Epic Records artists Grammy Award winners Musical groups established in 1960 Myrrh Records artists Word Records artists 1960 establishments in California